Owners refuse to dismantle Subic fish pens
SUBIC, Zambales -- Illegal fish case operators have failed to dismantle their structures within the municipal waters of this town despite cease-and-desist orders issued by the Environmental Management Bureau on September 1.
Lormelyn Claudio, EMB director in Central Luzon, ordered the removal of more than 100 fish cages built within 22 hectares of seawater in the village of Cawag because their owners were operating without environmental compliance certificates (ECCs).
“[We] have taken the necessary actions to resolve the complaints against the operation of fish cages in the area,” Claudio said.
The orders were issued to six fish cage operators identified as Biotop Philippines Agriculture Co., Manuel Sy Ko and Danilo Javier, Sahara Feeds Corp., Golden Aqua Harvest Inc., Neo-Mega Seahorse Aqua Farms Corp., and Saka Agri Ventures.
The operators were directed to voluntarily dismantle their structures within seven days after receiving the orders.
But EMB investigator Emerita Sebial said the illegal fish cages were spotted within Subic Bay and their operators had failed to completely tear them down.
“We have checked the area where these illegal structures are built but only a few cages have been dismantled. A considerable number of these cages remain intact,” she said.
She said the operators were asking the EMB to give them more time to dismantle their structures.
“We have advised the operators to request assistance from the EMB if they have difficulty in dismantling their structures,” she said.
Claudio said that if the cage owners continued to defy the cease-and-desist orders, the bureau itself would do the job.
“They have to strictly comply with the orders and so we urge them to stop their operations,” Claudio said.
Melchor Madayag, EMB senior environmental management specialist, said fish cage operators had obtained only municipal resolutions or permits but failed to secure ECCs.
“The six cage owners continue their operations despite the notices of violation issued to them early this year,” he said.
He said the dismantling orders were issued after Zambales Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain and several groups of fishermen sought assistance from their office. Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon
Lormelyn Claudio, EMB director in Central Luzon, ordered the removal of more than 100 fish cages built within 22 hectares of seawater in the village of Cawag because their owners were operating without environmental compliance certificates (ECCs).
“[We] have taken the necessary actions to resolve the complaints against the operation of fish cages in the area,” Claudio said.
The orders were issued to six fish cage operators identified as Biotop Philippines Agriculture Co., Manuel Sy Ko and Danilo Javier, Sahara Feeds Corp., Golden Aqua Harvest Inc., Neo-Mega Seahorse Aqua Farms Corp., and Saka Agri Ventures.
The operators were directed to voluntarily dismantle their structures within seven days after receiving the orders.
But EMB investigator Emerita Sebial said the illegal fish cages were spotted within Subic Bay and their operators had failed to completely tear them down.
“We have checked the area where these illegal structures are built but only a few cages have been dismantled. A considerable number of these cages remain intact,” she said.
She said the operators were asking the EMB to give them more time to dismantle their structures.
“We have advised the operators to request assistance from the EMB if they have difficulty in dismantling their structures,” she said.
Claudio said that if the cage owners continued to defy the cease-and-desist orders, the bureau itself would do the job.
“They have to strictly comply with the orders and so we urge them to stop their operations,” Claudio said.
Melchor Madayag, EMB senior environmental management specialist, said fish cage operators had obtained only municipal resolutions or permits but failed to secure ECCs.
“The six cage owners continue their operations despite the notices of violation issued to them early this year,” he said.
He said the dismantling orders were issued after Zambales Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain and several groups of fishermen sought assistance from their office. Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
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